The company is slowly growing in stature in the national dancing circuit, and its repertoire ranges from the classical to the neo classical and the contemporary. All these works are performed with the artistic excellence that the company has achieved over the years and strives to maintain. The Ballet usually performs five programs per season.
About the Ballet:
The company was formed in 1989 after a merger between two smaller companies, the Ballet Oregon and the Pacific Ballet Theater. The new company’s first artistic director was James Canfield, who was also the principle dancer with the Pacific Ballet Theater. He remained at the helm of the company until 2003, and under his leadership the company progressed and grew to include more than eighty ballets in its repertoire.
Following Canfield’s tenure, Christopher Stowell became the new artistic director of the company. Stowell had a distinguished sixteen year career with the San Francisco Ballet as a principle dancer and he brought a lot of experience with him. With his extensive training, deep knowledge of the repertoire, and dedication to ballet’s exacting contemporary and classical vocabulary, Stowell was an ideal candidate to lead the ballet.
During his tenure, the Ballet added the works of world renowned choreographers to its ever increasing resume. Legendary names like Sir Frederick Ashton, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins and Lar Lubovitch and contemporary names like Julia Adam, Nicolo Fonte, Trey McIntyre, James Kudelka and Yuri Possokhov are some of the famous choreographers whose works have been added by the ballet.
Kevin Irving was appointed as the company’s new artistic director in July 2013.
The Nutcracker:
Watching a rendition of the famous ballet, The Nutcracker, has now become a Christmas tradition in the United States. The traditional Christmas present from almost all the ballet companies in the country, it has become essential part of Christmas festivities in the country. The Oregon Ballet performs the George Balanchine version of The Nutcracker, which the legendary choreographer composed for the New York Ballet in 1954.
The show features the classical score by maestro Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, and show cases rat armies fighting toy soldiers, snowflakes dancing to life, pirouetting flowers and lots more. The audience can enjoy the ride the land of the Sugar Plum fairies. The enduring magic of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker will create an unforgettable family experience for you and your whole family, and give you treasured memories to cherish forever.
The two hour long show will keep you entertained throughout. It will feature one of the most enduring and loved ballet’s in American history being performed by one the best ballet companies in the country. Scheduled to run from December 14th to the 24th, this is one show you would not want to miss.